Today, I talk with David Weatherly, author of a very intriguing book based on the Black Eyed Children phenomenon. We talk about his research in to the phenomenon, how he came to write the book, and how these children may be connected to other types of paranormal phenomena.

Ryan Sprague (RS)David Weatherly (DW)

RS: Can you give us a paragraph on what the book is about?DW: Over the past few years, there have been a growing number of reports of strange, black eyed children. These children, also known as ‘BEKs’ (black eyed kids) are knocking on doors, approaching people in parking lots and showing up at businesses. It appears that their main goal is to convince their victims to invite them inside. “The Black Eyed Children” explores numerous first-hand accounts and examines possible explanations for this growing phenomenon.

RS: What inspired you to write about this phenomenon?DW: Two things, first my meeting with a gentleman named Paul, the first witness that I was able to directly interview who had encountered BEKs. His encounter led me to dig for other, similar cases and witnesses. Second, the high level of interest from people I met who wanted to know more about the phenomena.

RS: Is this your first book?DW: Several years ago, I wrote a couple of small books, one on Norse runes and another on Shamanic work. They are both long out of print but may resurface at some point in updated versions. I’ve written for a vast number of publications over the years and continue to do so in addition to working on other books and video projects.

(Various interpretations of Black Eye Children)

RS: What is your process of writing?

DW: It usually involves large amounts of coffee! I do try to adhere to something that I heard Stephen King say years ago and that was to ‘set yourself a goal and write something every day.’ Between travel and other projects, that’s sometimes difficult but I do try to stick to it. Often, I’ll find myself inspired and literally write all night so I guess I’m a bit chaotic when it comes to it.RS: How long did it take to research and write the book?DW: Rather hard to put a figure on the total time. Much of the material was in my investigative files that I had gathered over the years. When I really focused on writing the book, I suppose that it took several months as I was also working on other things at the time.RS: Is this phenomenon isolated to a certain region or are there cases all over the world?DW: The phenomenon is worldwide. Initially, it appeared to be US based but when researching the book, I received accounts from around the globe. The number of cases continues to increase and at this point, BEKs have turned up in a vast number of countries.

(Gothic-style interpretation of the mysterious Black Eyed Children)

RS: What makes these children stand out besides their orbital black eyes?DW: Most people report that the children have pale or pasty skin, odd mannerisms and monotone voices. On some occasions, there is a foul odor reported.RS: What do you assert are their intentions?DW: They want to be invited inside, but really, we’re not sure why. There are some indications that they could be omens of some type, much like the fabled Mothman. On another level, it seems to me that their actual goal is to simply create fear in their victims, perhaps in order to somehow feed off the energy that is generated by such an intense emotion.

RS: Do they ever return to the same people?DW: That’s very rare. Almost every case is a one-time event.

RS: Do you believe they are connected to any other phenomenon?DW: One of the fascinating things about exploring black eyed children cases are the endless connections to other types of phenomena. That is in fact, a large portion of the book’s focus. Arguments could be made that they are Djinn, ghosts, alien hybrids, MIBs, the list goes on.

(David Weatherly speaking at the 2012 Paradigm Symposium)

RS: What would you say to someone who is interested in writing a book about the paranormal. How should they start? Who and what should they research first?DW: Focus on a particular topic and research it from every angle. Don't rush into it, take your time. Writers like John Keel and Jacques Vallee were big influences for me. I encourage people to read material from across a wide spectrum of paranormal topics. If you're interested in UFOs, don't be afraid to read books about cryptids or poltergeist. It's often by stepping outside the box that you gain the greatest insights. Beyond that, write something everyday, even if you think you're writing junk, the process will start to pay off and your work will become more refined.

RS: What is next for you writing-wise and in the world of the paranormal?DW: My next book is called "Strange Intruders" and deals with a number of different beings from all corners of the paranormal. The Grinning Man, Puckwedgies, Djinn and the Slenderman are some of the topics covered.After that, there's a book on Tulpas & Thoughtforms later this year. A few video projects are in the works, but those are under wraps for now. I also have a lot of speaking engagements this year, so if you catch me at an event, please don't hesitate to say hello!

You can learn more about David's work and order his book directly from the publisher by CLICKING HERE